As Earth Day approaches this weekend, Darden Rice is rolling out endorsements from two environmental organizations for her re-election bid in St. Petersburg City Council District 4 — Florida Conservation Voters and (unsurprisingly) the Sierra Club, where she had previously worked.
“We’re proud to endorse one of our own,” said David Harbeitner, President of the Suncoast Chapter of the Sierra Club. “Darden has a long history of environmental activism and a strong commitment to standing up for what is right. We want to continue to work with her to make St. Petersburg a cleaner and healthier city.”
“Florida Conservation Voters is proud to announce Darden Rice as our first-ever local endorsement in her race for St. Petersburg City Council,” said Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director, Florida Conservation Voters. “City Council Chair Rice is a dedicated public servant who will tirelessly defend what is best about St. Petersburg. We look forward to working with her to protect our parks, waterways, and wildlife.”
“I’m very honored to have the support of these two respected and effective organizations,” Rice said in a campaign statement. “I started my career working to protect the environment, and I have continued that deep commitment to those values in my career as a City Councilwoman. I am focused to continue the necessary work of protecting our environment in St. Petersburg.”
In addition to the Sierra Club, Rice served as the Florida Director of Gulf Restoration Network before her election to the council in 2013. She’s also the founder and chair of the City Council’s Environmental, Natural Resources, and Sustainability (ENRS) Committee.
Rice is running for a second term in District 4. Challenging the 46-year-old is USFSP student Jerick Johnston.
